Thank You, Nichole!

Nichole,

Just a Thank You for giving of your time and talents month after month. I can't even begin to imagine how much energy it must take to prepare for each release, but I want you to know that every moment you spend is truly appreciated and does not go unnoticed. Thank you for answering all of our questions, listening to our concerns, and being a source of inspiration! Papertrey Ink is an amazing company because of you! (No one else has me staying up late or waking up early from the 5th-15th of each month!!)

Thanks Again!

~Anika

Altered T-Shirt

A couple months ago, I saw this post on Kimberly Kesti's blog and since then, I have been scouring the clearance section of every store I go into for cheap t-shirts that I can spruce up.

Well, I hit the jackpot at Target about a week ago when I found these purple t-shirts on clearance for $2! Here's what you do...buy 2 of them - it doesn't matter if they don't have 2 in your size, because you are just going to cut the second one up anyway. In my case, I bought a small to embellish and a large to cut apart.

I made my flowers a little differently than Kim did. I cut out 5 inch circles and then spiral cut them like this. (They don't have to be perfect!)

Then, I stitched the inside edge of the spiral to gather the material.

Once it was all stitched, I wound it into a flower and stitched it together at the bottom.

I made all 5 flowers and then I stitched them onto the other t-shirt. Easy peasy and I have a cute t-shirt in an hour for $4! After trying it on, I'm actually thinking that I will add a couple more flowers to it - I think they need to go all the way up to the shoulder, but for now...here's the finished shirt.

Sorry the colors are so wacky in these pictures, I was working on this late last night.

Hope you are having a great Saturday!

~Anika

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop: August 2010

The challenge for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop this month is to use a lunch bag in some way. The details and list of participants can be found here on Nichole's blog. With the beginning of the school year approaching quickly, I didn't have a lot of time to make something super creative, but I did come up with this cute little gift gift bag.

I cut the top off and ran the bag through my Cuttlebug to get the scallops on the top, then I stamped the background, added some ribbon and a sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the Blog Hop!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Kraft

Stamps: Embellishments, Signature Greetings

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate

Other: Raspberry Fizz Satin Ribbon, Small Scallop Border Die, Spellbinders Petite Oval Nestabilities, brown lunch bag

One week from today...

will be my last day of Summer Vacation. I can't believe how fast the months have flown by! I am certainly looking forward to a new school year, but I will miss my low key summer days.

Last week, I posted this card using Hawaiian Shores. I decided to give the same layout a try in a few different colors so here we have...

Orange Zest

Raspberry Fizz

and Plum Pudding!

These were so simple to put together since I only needed one stamp set.

Hope you have had a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Orange Zest, Raspberry Fizz, Plum Pudding, Vintage Cream

Stamps: Round & Round

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate, True Black, Tea Dye Duo; Spiced Marmalade & Dusty Concord Distress Inks

Ribbon: Orange Zest Saddle Stitch, Raspberry Fizz Satin, Plum Pudding Swiss Dot

Other: Mat Stack 2 Die, Hole Punch

Cute as a Button Tag

I made this gift tag in a matter of minutes for the Baby Shower for Katie & Asher that we are having tomorrow. Love it when things come together so quickly! (Katie, hope Asher is sleeping for you tonight so you don't see this before tomorrow!)

Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Ripe Avocado, Kraft, Ripe Avocado Bitty Box paper

Stamps: Baby Button Bits

Ink: Peeled Paint Distress Ink

Other: New Leaf Buttons, Cream Button Twine

Card Set

I think this is the first set of cards that I have made that are all similar.

These all use Vintage Cream Cardstock and a Black Creative Memories fine tip marker.

Stamp Sets: Star Prints & Scattered Showers

Ink: True Black & Peeled Paint Distress Ink

Stamp Set: Signature Greetings

Ink: Raspberry Fizz

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz & Dotty Biscotti Patterned Paper

cut with Beautiful Blooms 2 Die Collection #3

Stamp Sets: Embellishments & Leaf Prints

Ink: Pure Poppy & Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink

Stamp Set: Star Prints

Ink: Enchanted Evening

Cardstock: Enchanted Evening & Spring Rain Bitty Box

cut with a Cricut Cartridge

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me, but I am determined to make it to 100 posts before the first day of school so I will try to post some other projects I have been working on soon!

Have a great day!

~Anika

All Supplies listed are Papertrey Ink, unless noted otherwise.

Hawaiian Shores

I just adore this color! I've got a super simple card to share today.

I just love all that Hawaiian Shores...paper, ink, ribbon! I bought the Mat Stack 2 Die at CHA and I made this card primarily to try it out!

I'm headed out to go Back-to-School shopping with my mom today! Hope you have a great Tuesday!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Hawaiian Shores, Vintage Cream

Stamps: Round & Round

Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Dark Chocolate, Tea Dye Duo

Other: Mat Stack 2 Die, Hawaiian Shores Bitty Dot ribbon

Thank You card & Desk Organizer

A couple things to share today. The first is a Thank You card and it's the last in my first set of cards for the baby shower game prize. I just love how simple this card is and plan on making many more with the same layout just different colors and sentiments.

I was having 'sew' much fun with my sewing machine on some cards when I came across this adorable desk organizer. You can find official patterns and directions here.

Since my machine was out, I decided to modified the design to fit some material I had on hand and came up with this!

It was so easy peasy! I think I finished it in under an hour and now that I have the kinks worked out, I don't even think they would take that long. Any guesses as to what is in between the layers of material that make up the sides and bottom? Here is a hint...I would have to buy 5 PTI Stamp sets in order to make 2 organizers. I'll let you think on that one for a second. (You can find the answer in the supply list below.) Since I don't have the scalloped square die cut that the original version uses, I just cut squares and then clipped and frayed the seam allowances after it was all sewn together.

This is going to be a back to school gift for the other Kindergarten teacher on my team. It happens to match this tote bag that I made for her for Christmas last year. (She's a coffee fanatic.)

Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful Sunday!

~Anika

Supplies:

Thank You Card (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Simply Chartreuse

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics 2, Asian Fusion

Ink: Dark Chocolate

Other: Beautiful Blooms 2 #3 Die Collection, Brown Thread

Desk Organizer

10 - 5x5 inch squares of fabric

4 - 3x5 inch squares of fabric

5 - 4x4 inch squares of acetate (I used the clear boxes that my PTI stamps come in...finally a use for the many I have collected! And it cuts easily with my paper cutter.) Note: You could leave the bottom acetate sheet out and then the organizer would be foldable like the original version.

It's Saturday!!

ETA: Oops! Meant to schedule this for tomorrow AM...so if you are reading this before midnight, it's not quite Saturday yet!!

Yeah for Saturday and PTI release night! I've got a birthday card to share today. I was able to use up lots of scraps from my "Blue" file on this one.

We are headed back to the fair for some more food...the pie is calling my name! Enjoy your Saturday!

~Anika

Supplies:

Cardstock: Vintage Cream & Spring Rain Bitty Box (PTI), Glitter paper (Animal Crackers Mat Stack), Damask paper (Old World Mat Stack), Distressed paper (Kioshi by BasicGrey)

Stamps: Delightful Dahlia (PTI)

Ink: Enchanted Evening (PTI), Peeled Paint (Ranger Distress Ink)

Other: Vintage Cream Satin Ribbon (PTI), Brown thread

Filled with Happiness

This is another card from the group I am making for the baby shower game prize. I've been meaning to use the cork I bought a couple months ago so I finally pulled it out for this card. And while I love the simple layout, colors and the ribbon on this card, I'm not completely sold on this cork flower. I think part of the reason is that since it's sticky back cork, it's 'bent' around the multiple layers of ribbon underneath it. Oh well!

We are off to the County Fair again today...I just can't get enough of the food and people watching! Enjoy your Friday!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Harvest Gold, Old World Mat Stack

Stamps: Big & Bold Wishes

Ink: Dark Chocolate

Other: In Bloom Impression Plate, Dark Chocolate Satin Ribbon, Button from the Holiday Button Mix, Floss, Sticky Back Cork from JoAnn's

Hope your Day is Fabulous

I'm busy making cards today, but I wanted to quick share this card. It's going to be part of a set that I'm making for a prize for a baby shower game.

Hope you're having a great day!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Hibiscus Burst, Kraft, Dotty Biscotti Patterned Paper

Stamps: Life, Signature Greetings

Ink: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz, Tea Dye Duo, Antique Linen Distress Ink

Other: Petite Oval Spellbinders Die, Brown Thread

Orange Zest!

I just love this Orange Zest and I wouldn't even consider orange to be a favorite color of mine! Just makes for some fun and cheery cards!

Well, I'm off to my classroom. It needs some major work and since my sister-in-law volunteered to come help me today (love her!!) I figured I'd take advantage of the extra hands. Besides that, it's raining out so I might as well get some inside things done!

Have a great day!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Orange Zest, Kraft, Dotty Biscotti

Stamps: Signature Greetings, Fancy Flourishes

Ink: Dark Chocolate, Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink

Other: Beautiful Blooms II #3 Die Collection, Scor-Pal, Misc. buttons from Wal-Mart

Paper Dolls Challenge #16

I'm back today with another Paper Dolls Challenge. This one is hosted by Lee Anne and it can be found here. She challenged us to use this sketch...

I don't think I have ever made a circle card, but I have always wanted to. So thanks for the challenge, Lee Anne!

I cut both circles with my Cricut and then roughed up the edges with a scissors. I'm still not sure I like the red buttons, but I didn't have any yellow ones - can't believe I didn't pick up Harvest Gold buttons at CHA! To make this a card, I attached a little 3x3 inch card to the back of the red circle.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Pure Poppy, Harvest Gold, Stampers Select White

Stamps: Star Prints

Ink: Pure Poppy, True Black

Other: Pure Poppy Buttons, Fiskars Star Punch, Cricut Expression

Paper Dolls Challenge #15

I was a busy bee yesterday down at my craft table! I was able to get caught up on some Paper Dolls challenges and I got a few other cards made that I will either sell to the boutique, send to the sailors, or add to my stash. Anyway, on with the card...

Bonnie Rose challenged us to use this scarf as our inspiration. Isn't it gorgeous!?!

This is what I came up with.

This challenge (found here) is still open so feel free to join us!

Enjoy the weekend and thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst, Harvest Gold

Stamps: Library Card, Floral Fusion, Asian Fusion

Ink: Versamark, True Black, Raspberry Fizz

Other: Making Memories Die Cut, Prima Flowers, misc. rhinestones

Paper Dolls Challenge #13

So I am a day late on this challenge, but wanted to do it anyway! Leish challenged us to use some kind of fabric or material that we could find around our house as inspiration for a card. Well, I looked and looked in my closet, but no such luck. Then I thought about my bathroom towels. I fell in love with the color combo in this towel one day when we had just started to build our house. I immediately knew I wanted to paint the 2nd bathroom that rich blue color. After 2 years, we are still getting comments on it! I decided the stripes would be perfect for a guys - or should I say 'Dudes' - card.

I used a scissors to rough up the edges of the Vintage Cream layers to mimic the fluffy towel look.

Hope you are having a great Friday! My friend Katie will be here soon and we are going to do some more crafting...can't wait! Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Orange Zest, Vintage Cream, Ripe Avocado

Stamps: Distressed Stripes, Signature Greetings

Ink: Dark Chocolate, Enchanted Evening, Peeled Paint & Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks

Other: Rustic Cream Button Twine

Live, Laugh, Love

This is going to be quick. I have to run to a friends house to do a little card making in a bit.

Just a fun girly card today!

I also wanted to show you my beautiful pile of PTI goodies from CHA!

Here it is! Lots of paper, ribbon, Impression Plates, dies! I also got some twine, envelopes, reinkers, patterned paper, Library Card stamp and of course the exclusive CHA set! (I earned 2...watch for a giveaway of my extra set when I reach 100 posts!)

This last picture is of most of the make n take projects we were able to do. 2 PTI projects, a card make with the Sizzix, a duck tape wallet, card make with an EKSuccess border and corner punch, digital layout from Jessica Sprague, Earrings, Scissor holder, denim Travel Butler, and an airbrushed t-shirt. Wish I could have gone the second day for more make n takes!

Have a great day!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Kraft, Dotty Biscotti designer paper

Stamps: Fancy Flourishes, Round & Round

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Fresh Snow

Other: Prima flowers; Petite Oval Spellbinders die; button, floss, raffia, ric rac, & eyelet trim from my stash

Sold!

Over the past few weeks, I have been making a stack of cards that I was hoping to sell at a little boutique shop in a neighboring town. Last week before I left for Chicago, I finished them up and delivered them. I found out today that the owner loved them, and she paid me for the whole stack! Now I have to get busy making more! I'm excited about making a little money to help fund this addiction of mine and now I have a place for all the cards I make for challenges and such!

This is one of the cards that was in the stack I brought to the store.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Smokey Shadow, True Black, Select White

Stamps: Big & Bold Wishes, Polka Dot Basics II

Ink: Pure Poppy, Versamark

Other: True Black Satin Ribbon, Clear Embossing powder

CHA 2010

What a fantastic time! I had a blast at CHA...even waiting in line for 2 hours to get in was fun! My mom and I ended up getting to the convention center around 10:00. We hadn't planned to get there that early, but we were sitting in the hotel all ready to go and just decided we would head over. After about 15 minutes of sitting in the line, I heard a some commotion and when I looked up Michelle, Dawn & Heather were all standing on the other side of the ribbon!! By the time I grabbed my camera and stood up, Michelle was right next to me! You can tell from these pictures that I was not excited at all to meet them...haha!! All I could do was smile. By the looks of some of the pictures, my mom must have been really excited too. (Just a little blurry!)

After awhile, we weren't in a line anymore. It was more like a mob. The security guards didn't seem to understand what all the excitement was about. It was funny to watch them shake their heads, roll their eyes, and laugh at all of us crazy crafters! (Let me know if you find yourself in this picture.)

I'm pretty sure almost everyone went straight to the PTI booth were Nichole handed us shopping bags. After grabbing all the paper and ribbon I wanted, Jenn handed us a slip with all the dies and Impression Plates that they had. We just had to mark what we wanted, then some fabulous workers picked them all up for us and they were ready when we got to the front of the check out line.

After shopping, we went to work on the make n takes. My mom made her first PTI card and I met Nadine!

After we were finished at the PTI Booth we walked around the rest of the show and made some other fun projects and tried out some new tools. We ended up at the PaperCrafts booth where I met Susan, Cath and Maren. I happened to be the "Mega Fan of the Week" on the PaperCrafts facebook page which made it even more fun to meet them since they also "knew" me!

While at the PaperCrafts booth, I also met Belinda, the 2010 Gallery Idol. We had a great chat.

A little earlier in the day, I was working on a project at a booth and I was sure that I saw

Taheerah, but I didn't feel like I could leave the booth to run down the aisle to catch her in the middle of my project. Then, as we were getting ready to leave the show, I decided to take one last loop around the PTI booth and there was Taheerah!

I wasn't able to make it to the get together that evening because I had family fly in that evening and the rest of the weekend was spent running around Chicago with all 8 of them! I would have loved to meet more of you though!

As you can probably tell from that crazy cheesy smile I have in just about every picture, CHA was awesome! I will definitely try to go again.

~Anika